Smithsonian.com

Caller ID just got more interesting. Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), the nonprofit partner of Smithsonian’s National Zoo, just released ringtones of 25 animal sounds, from the familiar tiger’s roar to the obscure gargle of the giant anteater. Zoo keepers recorded the sounds.

Program Mom’s calls to be the screech of the wise barred owl and make dad the growl of the patriarchal African lion. Got a goofy friend? How ’bout a hyena?

So far the most popular are the common loon and the Sumatran tiger. Proceeds go to the Zoo’s conservation and education programs. Visit the Zoo’s Web site to listen, download and stay up to speed with all the chatter going on over at the Zoo.

(Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo)